Forum Discussion
Can't open XLSX file, extension not valid
- Dec 14, 2023If you have already tried common methods to repair a corrupted Excel file without success, and changing the file extension to XLS didn't work, you can try the following additional steps: 1. Open and Repair: - Open Excel.
- Go to "File" > "Open."
- Navigate to the location of the corrupted XLSX file.
- Select the file, click on the arrow next to the "Open" button, and choose "Open and Repair."
 2. Use Excel Viewer: - Download and install the Microsoft Excel Viewer, which is a free application that allows you to view and print Excel files. Even if you can't edit the file, you might be able to view its contents.
 3. Copy and Paste: - Open a new Excel workbook.
- Try opening the corrupted file in Notepad.
- Copy the content from Notepad.
- Paste the content into the new Excel workbook.
 4. Recover Previous Version: - Right-click on the corrupted file.
- Select "Properties."
- Go to the "Previous Versions" tab.
- Check if there's a previous version of the file available and restore it.
 5. Try on Another Computer: - If possible, try opening the file on another computer with a different version of Excel.
 6. Use Third-Party Tools: - As a last resort, you might consider using reputable third-party file repair tools. Tools like Stellar Repair for Excel, as you mentioned, are designed for this purpose. Ensure you download such tools from trusted sources.
 7. Check Event Viewer: - Open the Event Viewer on your computer.
- Look for any error messages related to the Excel file. This might provide additional information on what's causing the issue.
 8. Recover Data from External Hard Drive: - If the file was originally on an external hard drive, try recovering it from the drive again and see if there were any issues during the transfer.
 Remember to create a backup of the corrupted file before attempting any repair methods, especially if you decide to use third-party tools. If none of the above methods work, it might be worth reaching out to Microsoft Support for further assistance or considering professional data recovery services. The text/steps was revised with the AI. Hope this will help you. Was the answer useful? Mark as best response and like it! This will help all forum participants. 
I am having similar problems. I wonder if it is related to onedrive, which I recently started using. NikolinoDE
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